2009 No.2 The Newsletter of the Mycological Society

“Hands on, nose on, eyes on” Alberta Foray August 20th - 23rd Area Northern Lakes College, Grouard, Alberta

The Alberta But it is Forays of the past not all just few years have picking been the highlight mushrooms. of my mushroom There are season. For those evening lectures of you who have as well as a never attended it Beginners is a wonderful Mushroom experience. The Identification bulk of the course. So all weekend is taken you rookies, up by doing our take advantage favourite thing, of this. There is picking no better way to mushrooms. We learn than all bring the “hands on” mushrooms back “nose on” and for sorting and “eyes on”! We identification by a Lesser Slave Lake Area. Photo courtesy of Martin Osis will have lots of crew of expert mushrooms identifiers. After large birches. Jack pine covered identified that are unique to our they are identified, the sand dunes covered with caribou area and not found in field guides. mushrooms are recorded in our moss may finally yield an elusive These mushrooms are the ones database and photographed for chanterelle we have been that usually make our lives future reference and uploading searching for, for years. Other sites difficult, but with some experts to unto our website. And, as always, both in and outside Provincial help with the identification, these some of those delicious edibles Parks will give us some beautiful hurdles are jumped. The somehow find a frying pan. boreal habitat. The lakeshore trails opportunity to talk with After scouting some of the cover miles of prime habitat. mycologists about what sites I am very excited. We have a Bring your cameras, as there characteristics they are looking at variety of areas ranging from pure are sure to be photo contest when identifying each different poplar and aspen sites to areas of winning mushrooms all around. mushroom is an opportunity we (Foray ...continued on page 3) www.wildmushrooms.ws Summer 2009 No. 2 1 President’s Message 2009 Executive May 2009: Alberta Mycological An exciting year has Society

started out with a bang! President: Martin Osis President: Martin Osis (780) 987-4412 For those of you who missed the Thompson and of course Markus [email protected] “Sold Out!” President’s Dinner missed Thormann. Webmaster : out on an outstanding event. The As well we have formed a couple Vacant NAIT School of Hospitality bent over of new committees which some of you backwards to make a special evening. may be interested in. Vice President: One of the several appetizers served 1. An Education Committee is Robert Rogers was a first for me and most of the (780) 433-7882 being formed to work on [email protected] attendees, Portabella mushrooms developing programming for both with fireweed honey prepared on an our membership and to develop Treasurer: “Anti-grill”, flash frozen and mushroom programs for schools Michael Avanati immediately served forth. This was to enhance the curriculum. followed by three delicious courses Secretary: 2. A Web Committee has met and along with as much wine as anyone Patrick Tackaberry received some training to improve [email protected] was inclined to drink. our website. This has been one of The Annual General Meeting the critical areas of Membership : followed the next day. There were communication for our members, Diane Murray three highlights for me: the which has suffered over the last gastronomical display by Chefs David Foray Coordinator: Bill year. Updates will be in place and Maynard, an incredible lunch, Richards when this newsletter reaches you. (780) 998-3507 and an exciting new Executive. One [email protected] of the strengths our Society has had 3. A Fundraising committee is over the last several years is the being formed to focus on locating Program Director: willingness of members to step funding for our various projects. Vacant forward and take their turn to help Anyone with experience in these build a dynamic Society. I would like matters would be of great help. Media Relations Coordinator: to personally welcome several new Members who may be interested Melanie Fjoser members to the Executive: Diane in helping out on any of these (780) 987-4412 Murray in Membership, Michael committees, please contact me. [email protected] Avanati in Treasury, and some new The most exciting new directors-at-large, Doug Overes, from Newsletter Editor: developments are the relationships we Jeannette Gasser Lethbridge, Amanda Hudgins for have started with the NAIT School of Hinton, Garry Popowich, and Pieter Hospitality along with culinary Directors-at-large: van der Schoot, who returns after a associations and Chefs from across Doug Overes year’s absence. Jeannette Gasser has the province. We have had huge Amanda Hudgins moved from Treasury to Newsletter, dividends already at the President’s Garry Popowich filling a big void that we had last Dinner, our AGM and the new year, and Robert Rogers has moved regular culinary feature you see in Pieter van der Schoot from Programs to Vice President. ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ our newsletters. These dividends will MAILING ADDRESS: Having new people keeps our continue at many of our upcoming Alberta Mycological Society Executive primed with new ideas. A events including our Alberta Foray. P.O. Box 1921, 10405 Jasper Avenue special thanks all the people who Mushrooms are a fascinating study Standard Life Building served on our past executive; Alan but the big bonus is that we get a , AB T5J 3S2 Fleming, Jeff Kochan, Ethel wonderful taste experience as well. WEBSITE ADDRESS: Luhtanen, Jim Malenczak, John www.wildmushrooms.ws (President’s Message ...continued on page 4)

2 Summer 2009 No. 2 www.wildmushrooms.ws Alberta Foray Northern Lakes College. Photo courtesy of Martin Osis (continued from page 1) rarely get. This is why these forays are so valuable. The evenings allow lots of time for socializing and getting to know fellow members from all over. Meals will be catered at the College cafeteria so we can just focus on having a good time. Accommodations will be in the College dorms. The Foray starts off with registration on Thursday night, with the first forays going out Friday morning. We wind up Sunday with a brunch and a final walk around the tables discussing the most interesting and unique fungi found. Then Sunday We will be limiting attendance to 50 people. This is for several afternoon we open everything up reasons, including being able to physically handle all the mushrooms to the public for an Open House brought in, and to allow interaction with our faculty of expert identifiers. including a Medicinal First come first served so please register early. See registration form Mushroom lecture by Robert on page 15. Rogers and by around 4:00 pm we Martin Osis are on our way home. Where is Grouard? Grouard

 www.wildmushrooms.ws Summer 2009 No. 2 3

Grouard President’s Message (continued from page 2) Upcoming Forays We have some changes this year in our programming for 2009 philosophy. Instead of our regular monthly meeting during the Welcome to another season of exposition to be held at the Devonian summer, we will be replacing these forays sponsored by the Alberta Gardens. with more evening forays to take Mycological Society. We are pleased to This year’s Alberta Foray will be advantage of our short summers. bring you many of the local favorite held on the western end of Lesser But to make up for the missed forays including the annual Polypore Slave Lake at the Northern Lights meetings we have some community Foray, which this year took place College in Grouard on August 20 outreach programming planned, March 22 in Edmonton’s Whitemud through 23. More information will which will be open to all our members. We have a series of Park. Our most popular foray is the follow shortly. lectures scheduled with the John Annual Morel Foray, which will be As always, our pick-for-the-pot Janzen Nature Centre in Edmonton, held on May 23 on the south-facing foray will be held in an area south of a Mushroom ID course at Blue Lake banks of the North Saskatchewan Edson. However, for a change we in Hinton, a gastronomy course at River near Two Hills. See the attached have reserved the group campground the NAIT – School of Hospitality. map for driving directions. at Weald Provincial Recreation Area But if you are really missing some As always we are duty-bound to for this year. We will have it for the of our regular lectures, be sure to inspect the Poplar Creek Natural Area nights of September 11 & 12. There attend the Alberta Foray in Grouard as our Volunteer Steward are fully enclosed shelters and other this August. There you can commitment. This year is no different. amenities not found at Lambert experience a whole summer’s worth Once upon a time this outing was Creek and it is one kilometre from all of interesting mushroom topics in dubbed the “Oyster Foray”, but as this truck traffic. I will be requesting a one weekend along with some great province gets dryer and habitat hard and fast commitment for all picking and loads of new changes, the focus has shifted to campers as fees do apply. mushrooms to learn. celebrating the summer solstice with a Another three fall forays will We are also consciously pig or lamb roast. This year we gather take place outside of Alberta and just reaching out to our membership at Pieter van der Schoot’s for the about as far apart as you can get and across Alberta, scheduling more celebrations on June 20-21. Driving still be within North America. The forays in different parts of the directions are provided on the attached annual Foray Newfoundland and province. In May we will head out map. Labrador takes place this September toward St. Paul for morels, in July So as not to spend our long 11-13, in the boreal forest of Central we will be in the Bow Valley for a summer evenings inside we have Newfoundland. More can be found at foray and mushroom display in the converted three of our regular their website http:// Bow Valley Provincial Park, in meetings to be forays: June 24 and www.nlmushrooms.ca/. August we will up in Lesser Slave July 22 we will be somewhere within The Fungi Festival at Shuswap, Lake for our Alberta Foray and on Edmonton, either in the River Valley BC takes place September 25-27 and the September long weekend back or some other city woodlot. Your has been a great hit for lobster down to the Calgary area and then suggestions are welcome. On August mushroom enthusiasts. More back out to the Edson / Hinton area 26 we plan to visit the Devonian information can be found at http:// at Lambert Creek. Botanic Garden near Devon. www.fungifestival.com/ Of course we are still keeping We have two forays scheduled for Extend your season by attending many of our long standing annual the southern region this summer. We the North American Mycological events including our Solstice foray will be back in Bow Valley Provincial Association (NAMA) foray this year at and Pig Roast out at Poplar Creek, Park, Kananaskis Country, for a Lafayette, Louisiana on November 26- our annual Mushroom Exposition at weekend of forays on July 18-19. On 29. Check out their website for the Devonian Botanical Gardens, September 5, a foray is schedule for the details, at http://www.namyco.org/ and end of the season foray in Cochrane area. events/index.html Sicamous. There will be many This year the AMS Mushroom Even though some dates or outstanding opportunities for Exposition will be held on August 9, so locations may change we will do our mushrooming, both physical and on August 8 we need as many foragers best to get updated information out to intellectual, so please take as possible to scour their favorite our members. Happy foraying. advantage of as many of these as mushroom patches and find the you can. Bill Richards, AMS Foray Coordinator President - Martin Osis greatest diversity of fungi for the

4 Summer 2009 No. 2 www.wildmushrooms.ws RecipeRecipeRecipe Grilled Asparagus and Roasted Mushroom Salad with Toasted Pecans, Cambozola Cheese Morels and Red Chile Pepper Vinaigrette The morel is widely applauded Yield: 4 servings by chefs and gourmets, who savour Ingredients: its smoky, earthy, nutty flavour. In 1 pound Asparagus, grilled general, the darker the mushroom 1 pound Assorted Mushrooms (Button, Oyster, Morel) coarsely the stronger the flavour! chopped Its spongy, honeycombed, cone 3 Tbsp. Olive Oil shaped cap ranges in size from 2 to 1 Tbsp. Fresh Thyme & Chives, chopped 4 inches high and colours from a 1 Tbsp. Red Pepper, julienne (cut into long, thin rich tan to an extremely dark (~3 mm, 1/8 inch) strips) brown. To taste Salt and Pepper Wild morels usually appear in ¼ cup Toasted Pecans specialty produce markets in April 8 ounces Fresh Cambozola Cheese and the season can last through June. Cultivated morels may Procedure: appear sporadically throughout the  Heat oil in a large sauté pan (frying pan with flat base and low, year. Choose fresh specimens that rounded sides) over high heat. have a firm yet spongy texture.  Add mushrooms and cook until golden brown Imported canned morels can be  Add thyme, pepper, pecans and a few chunks of the cheese and found in gourmet markets year- season with salt and pepper round. Dried morels have a more  Toss asparagus with a few drops of the vinaigrette (recipe below) intense, smokier flavour than fresh and season with salt and pepper ones and have the advantage of  Arrange ¼ of the asparagus in a criss-cross pattern in the centre being available year-round. of the plate. The marvelous flavour needs  Arrange the mushrooms on top of the asparagus (in a ring mold) little enhancement and this and top with some more cheese mushroom is best simply sautéed in  Sprinkle some more cheese and a few pecans around the plate butter.  Drizzle with more dressing Bon appetit Doug Overes Red Chile Pepper Vinaigrette Ingredients: Doug Overes is an award winning 2 Tbsp. roasted red pepper paste Chef who has won gold medals in 1 Tbsp. Ancho Chile Powder international competitions as both an Salt & Sugar individual member and Captain of ¼ cup Red Wine Vinegar Team Alberta. Currently he is a ½ cup Olive Oil member of the Faculty of Professional Cooking at Lethbridge Procedure:  Whisk together paste, ancho powder, pinch of salt and vinegar College. As well he is the President  Slowly whisk in oil until emulsified and season to taste with more of the Southern Alberta Academy salt and sugar of Chefs and a new AMS member.

www.wildmushrooms.ws Summer 2009 No. 2 5 Whitemud Creek Foray Poplar Creek Foray This year’s Poplar Creek Foray and Volunteer March 22, 2009 Steward event will be held June 20 and 21. Pieter As follow-up to Annual General Meeting several van der Shoot will once again host AMS members member of the Alberta Mycological Society met at and their guests on his property near Breton, just Whitemud Creek for a Sunday afternoon polypore across the street from one of the Poplar Creek foray. If you paid any attention to the weather Natural Area properties. As has become a tradition forecasts you probably stayed at home and in the over the last few years, we will have a pot luck house. This was truly unfortunate as the roads were dinner with pig or lamb roast. We will pass the hat good, if wet, and required the use of the wipers to keep to cover the cost of the roast and other expenses. the slop off the windscreen. Mark this event in your calendar and come out with your mushroom hunting equipment, a tasty In all 3 people showed for the walk about the old dish for the pot luck dinner, a guest (or several) growth forest along the Whitemud Creek. In total 16 that might be interested in mushrooms, your species (see below for initial list) were identified in camping equipment, humour, your dance legs and addition five unidentified species were collected for some rhythm, and your favourite beverage, and future determination. celebrate summer solstice with your mushroom buddies! For directions and further information, please refer to the Foray map. An update with the latest Whitemud Foray March 22, 2009 information will follow approximately a week prior to the event. Phellinus igniarius on paper birch Fomes fomentarius on paper birch Fomes pinicola on white spruce Fomitopsis cajanderi on white spruce 2009 Photo Contest Plicaturopsis crispa on alder species Since 2008 was a poor year for mushrooms in Stereum hirsutum Alberta, we did not get as many poisonous Ganoderma applanatum on balsam poplar mushroom pictures for the next poster as we would Trametes elegans have liked to receive. As a result the categories for Hypoxylon mammatum the 2009 photo contest will be the same as in 2008. Tremella mesenterica on white spruce We will have exciting prizes for the Hypoxylon cf fragiforme ❖ best overall mushroom picture (any species); Trichaptum biforme on paper birch ❖ best poisonous mushroom picture; and Apiosporina morbosa on pin cherry ❖ best documentary picture or picture series. Irpex lacteus on alder species More details on when and how to submit your entries will follow in the next newsletter, but until There are also two species of recupinate polypore then get a head start and begin taking pictures! which are yet to be identified. Digital pictures are preferred, but we will also accept (and scan) slides and prints.

Newsletter Contributions

This is your newsletter, so if you would like to contribute by submitting an idea, writing an article, or in some other way, please contact Jeannette Gasser at 780-439-4932 or by e-mail at [email protected].

6 Summer 2009 No. 2 www.wildmushrooms.ws

Poplar Creek

9 5 7 Natural Area Foray

On June 20-21 2009 the Alberta Mycological Society will meet for our Annual Group visit to Poplar Creek Natural Area with a campout and forays on the adjacent woodlot owned by our host Pieter van der Schoot. We will be meeting on site (see below).

Alsike “ 40 km Drayton Valley

39 Leduc 65 km “

0 2 Poplar Creek NA (PNT) Poplar Creek Natural Area t[

Poplar Creek NA (PNT)

Breton

616 1

6 Directions from Leduc: Take Hwy 39 to Alsike (65 km west of Leduc) 7 turn left onto Hwy 20 and go south to Breton (9.5 km). Turn right onto Hwy 616 go west 8.5 km to the turnoff to New Moose Hill Hall (watch for signs); turn right and go north 3.2 km to a t-intersection; turn left and travel west 200 m, to the first drive way on your right. t[

www.wildmushrooms.ws Summer 2009 No. 2 7 who helped collect specimens for Alberta Mycological Society the Mushroom Exhibition. Alberta Foray On August 2008 Forays Year-in-review 22-24 2008 we held our annual Alberta Foray on the Tsuu T’ina 2008 was another exceptional moisture and mushrooms, the First Nation Reserve west of year with some of our annual visits latter all were also in short supply. Calgary. An excellent foray was to well-known spots and a few new Volunteer Steward had through Reserve and despite sites added for variety. Commitment. On June 14-15 some dryness; upwards of 180 Winter Polypore foray. 2008, we again did a survey of different fungi species were March 15 2008 unfortunately our Poplar Creek Natural Area to fulfill recorded. See Spore Print 2008 No. proposed Polypore foray in Red our Volunteer Steward 2 for more details. Deer had to be canceled at the last Commitment of “observing, Lambert Creek Campout. minute because of dangerous road recording and reporting” our September 13-14 2008 I was conditions. findings within the natural area. delinquent again and took my It was a Wonderful Once again, we owe Pieter van der foraying to Newfoundland but I Weekend but Weak on the Schoot a great deal of appreciation have been told that the Lambert Morel End. On May 24 2008, a for opening up his property to the Creek and area foray went well. group campsite was reserved within Alberta Mycological Society. In About 25, participants got out and the Open Creek Dam Campground, addition to forays on the natural over 81 different species were which is managed by the Rimbey areas and Pieter’s property, we collected of these several interesting Fish & Game Association. The lack enjoyed a communal roast pig and species were found. See Spore Print of morels diminished the “superb” pot luck supper. 2009 No. 1 for more details quality of the foray with the final Mid-summer Campout Shuswap Foray Many count at close on Saturday being Foray On July 19-20 we were members of AMS joined 0.3 mushrooms per participant; that back at the group Campground at participants from other Western is, just 9 morels for the 30 people Open Creek. Oyster mushrooms Canadian mushroom clubs on who attended. We were fortunate to were the most common of the edible Thursday September 25-28 2008 to have visiting mycologist Andrus fungi and the continuing lower foray at Sicamous BC on beautiful Voitk from Newfoundland, his wife than normal moisture levels were Shuswap Lake. More details can Maria & his sister attend this still having an effect. We did see be found in Spore Print 2008 No. 2. outing. Soil temperatures were on some fireflies on the warm summer Respectfully submitted to the the edge of being too cool and were evening, and for some people it was Alberta Mycological Society, March 3 to 4 degrees C colder that the 11 their first time glimpsing these 21 2009 degrees C which I assume is flashing insects. optimum. We had our first major Pre-Exposition Forays Bill Richards, Foray Coordinator mishap with one of our regular August 9 2008 Thanks again to all foragers slipping on a wet tree root and snapping her wrist in the attempt to save herself. On Sunday May 27 monthly meeting we were invited to the Rose Creek area by one of our attending members Kathy Schwengler, who How to find Morels reports that many species of fungi Well, there is a good question. have been collected there on her Do you want a good answer? One property. More details can be found of the most exquisite of all the in Spore Print 2008 No. 1. edible mushrooms is found all over North Cooking Lake the province, yet so many people Natural Area. On the evening of struggle to find them. Martin Osis will share the definitive secrets of June 4 2008 in the North Cooking just where to look. Part of understanding where to look is to learn a Lake Natural Area, a group of 9 little bit about the role and the character of this prized edible. members took a short foray. Past Martin will talk about the different types of Morels found in Alberta weather conditions were such that and how to tell them apart. He will also discuss some of the quirky this is the driest I have seen this habits of the Morel and why knowing these habits should help you site in my 28 years of visiting it. As pick the right spots to look. there is a correlation between

8 Summer 2009 No. 2 www.wildmushrooms.ws Other Mushroom learning opportunities Along with our regular alternative health care. So what programming and list of Forays grows in your back yard? Join there are a few more learning members of the Alberta Mycological opportunities for members to take Society and learn about the Alberta Wild Mushrooms: From advantage of. While these are not medicinal qualities of local Field to Plate official AMS events, all AMS mushrooms, and how to identify NAIT has teamed up with the members are welcome to these helpful fungi. Alberta Mycological Society to offer participate! the best mushroom class in Edmonton, which includes an in- Mushroom Identification class theory and an off-site visit John Janzen Summer Weekend – Blue Lake Centre, component, in which students will Mushroom Lectures – John William Switzer Provincial Park, be introduced to the identification Janzen Nature Centre, Edmonton. near Hinton, Alberta of edible wild mushrooms and will These lectures cost $5.00 but are gather them for the cooking portion August 1 & 2, 2009 free to AMS members. of the class. A tremendous course for After the foray, class ❖ Tuesday, June 9th, 7 - 9 pm everyone interested in wild participants will return to NAIT Lecture #1 – Mushrooms in the mushrooms. Martin Osis from the metro campus, where they will be Big Picture Alberta Mycological Society will joined by a Chef instructor. The Sometimes we don’t like the guide participants through this instructors will take the students sight of them (when they grow on course in the classroom, in the field, on a journey of culinary mushroom our well-tended lawns) and and in the kitchen. creations. Flavour dynamics, sometimes we love them (sautéed in Course costs: texture considerations and, of a pan), but how much do we really - Hostel accommodation (12 course, effective cooking know about mushrooms? Join participants per hostel): $230 per techniques, will be discovered members of the Alberta Mycological person, plus GST through demonstrations and Society and learn about the - Cabin accommodation (4 hands-on production. fascinating role mushrooms and participants per cabin): $298 per Hours: 10 fungi play in our ecosystems. We’ll person, plus GST spend some time outside looking at This includes 2 nights Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009, mushrooms, so dress for the accommodation (arrive Friday 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm, and weather and bring along any evening after supper), breakfast, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009, 8:30 mushrooms you may have found. lunch and dinner Saturday and am - 4:30 pm breakfast and lunch Sunday. ❖ Tuesday, July 14th, 7 - 9 pm Cost for campers: course, Lecture #2 – Edible Mushrooms Registration fee: $235 plus lunches, and dinner only: $160 per All you 100-mile-diet GST; you can register online at person, plus GST enthusiasts, gourmet mushrooms http://www.nait.ca For information and free for the picking! Join members registration contact: of the Alberta Mycological Society Jerry at 780-817-1512 or by and learn which mushrooms in Bow Valley Parks Day and email at [email protected] Edmonton are edible, and which Associated Foray. ones are not! Find out critical We will be foraying in the information before you prepare Bow Valley Provincial Park and your sauté pan... the Kananaskis area on Saturday, July 18 and having a mushroom ❖ Tuesday, Aug 11th, 7 - 9 pm display on Sunday, July 19th in Lecture #3 – Medicinal conjunction with their “Parks Day”. Mushrooms Good opportunity for both picking Mushrooms have been mushrooms and looking at used in medicine for thousands of specimens. years. Today many fungi are used in both conventional and www.wildmushrooms.ws Summer 2009 No. 2 9 classified into three different categories, poisonous, documentary and overall, plus an electronic judging form, my task was full of formidable expectation. A cursory examination of the 98 entries revealed some incredibly artistic shots, some great attempts, and some pure question marks. Then I got down to the business of assigning points to each photo based on attributes such as background, focus, colour, depth of field, exposure, lighting, and composition. While it was fairly

ESULTS challenging to define some of these technical attributes, applying a common-sense touch to a term such as ‘depth of field’ allowed me to confidently award a value to each photo. The greatest difficulty was First Overall: justifying one score over another for seemingly equal Hericium coralloides by Linda technical or artistic Kershaw representation, although for ultimate The 2008 photo contest was justification, my an enjoyable experience for me studied first from a first-time judge’s impression was taken perspective, no doubt satisfactory to the bank. for the photographers and, I One of the most think, quite an artistic eyeful for enjoyable aspects of everyone who saw the entries. this experience was 2008 R Never having been viewing the wide personally interested in the variety of fungi and technical aspects of photography, habitat. Micro-, it has always been the art and macro-, colourful, display of photos which usually camouflaged, and caught my attention. So when an Second Overall: wild shapes defined Lycoperdon perlatum by Jeanette Gasser the vibrancy of most photos, while the habitat varied in ways that most observant mycophiles know and understand. Glorious photos of fly agaric, false morel, honey, oyster, morel, beartooth, red top, ONTEST puffball, bird’s nest, and polypore all contributed. Personally, I thought that colour was the most important attribute, giving the often ‘green’ photos much life. Lighting and background were also of C considerable importance in my role as techno- rationalist. In the end, all of my scores were assembled with five other judges’ scores and the winners were announced at the AGM at NAIT on March 21, 2009. Seven contestants submited 98 entries and the top placed photographers and photographs were: Third Overall: Fomitopsis pinicola by Jeanette Gasser 1st overall: Hericium coralloides by Linda Kershaw HOTO 2nd overall: Lycoperdon perlatum by Jeannette Gasser invitation was circulated to judge the annual 3rd overall: Fomitopsis pinicola by Jeannette Gasser

P AMS photo contest, I jumped at the chance without any knowledge of technique, lighting, 1st documentary: Stropharia hormanii by Martin Osis composition, etc. 2nd documentary: Sarcodon imbricatum by Martin Osis Armed with a DVD of the photos already 3rd documentary: Pholiota mutabiblis by Betty Fisher

10 Summer 2009 No. 2 www.wildmushrooms.ws 1st poisonous: Inocybe sp. by Jeannette Gasser 2nd poisonous: Amanita muscaria by Jeannette Gasser 3rd poisonous: Clitocybe dilitata by Martin Osis Second First Documentary: The above Documentary: Sarcodon winners will Stropharia imbricatum by grace the next hormanii Martin Osis AMS poster by Martin ‘Poisonous Osis Mushrooms’ due in 2010. No doubt many of these fine photos were snapped on the AMS foray trails, so take your camera out on forays and capture a few fungi on film or memory card, and take your chances in the 2009 AMS Photo Contest. First Poisonous: Inocybe sp. by Jeanette Gasser

Third Documentary: Pholiota mutabiblis by B. Fisher

Third Poisonous: Clitocybe dilitata by Martin Osis

Second Poisonous: Amanita muscaria by Jeanette Gasser www.wildmushrooms.ws Patrick Tackaberry Summer 2009 No. 2 11 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Alberta Mycological Society

The 2009 Annual General Meeting was held at Ernest’s, the NAIT School of Hospitality’s own restaurant, on March 21. Everyone who attended was very impressed by the beautiful, comfortable, and very suitable George and setting. We could actually close Anne Litven the blinds when we used the with the 2008 high-quality digital projector! President’s Thank you to NAIT for providing Award for their this great atmosphere. countless Unfortunately only about 25 volunteer hours members found their way to the devoted to the AGM, but those who attended Society. did definitely not regret it. The day started with the official business of executive reports, financial planning, foray and program information for the upcoming season, and elections.

The motion to award a lifetime membership to Bill Richards in recognition of his many years of volunteer contributions to the Society was accepted unanimously. Congratulations, Bill, well deserved! We had some good discussions on certain agenda items, but were done in time for one of the highlights of the day. Two chefs and instructors with NAIT’s Culinary Arts program put on a special mushroom cooking show just for us. We sat in a half-circle around the kitchen counter and carefully watched every of their steps directly and Pieter van der Shoot with the 2009 President’s Award for his long standing commitment simultaneously via video, which to the Society. allowed all of us to look into the

12 Summer 2009 No. 2 www.wildmushrooms.ws pans and pots. We got to taste all the creations, which resulted in The AGM Meeting and Cooking Class lots of “oh”, “uh”, “mmh” and similar sounds. My personal favourite was chef David Whitaker’s polenta mushroom tart with herb salad – not exactly low-calorie food, but it was heavenly. The cooking was followed by lunch, which included a wonderful mushroom soup (there may have been some cream involved), roast beef, and other savoury treats, completed by three kinds of still-warm cookies, coffee, and tea. Mmmmh again. Despite the full bellies we managed to stay awake during the interesting presentation on the watershed, which led to lively interjections and discussions on statistics and politics. Fortunately the presenter of the North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance was not easy to unsettle. The program was completed by the presentation of the 2008 Photo Contest entries and winners. It was a beautiful collection of all kinds of shapes, colours, and habitats imaginable. The audience was amazed to learn what absolutely beautiful and rare species one photographer had captured in the Whitemud Ravine. It reminded us to slow down and look for the small and hidden treasures when out for a walk and not just focus on the large and obvious specimens. Very satisfied we all headed home, invigorated and ready for a new season of unlimited discoveries and possibilities, and looking forward to next year’s AGM, which will be measured against a very high standard set in 2009. Jeannette Gasser www.wildmushrooms.ws Summer 2009 No. 2 13 We decided to do two forays out to St. Paul. One this weekend (May 23) and one next weekend as well. While many of us thought this weekend was too soon due to the cold, Bill wanted to go anyway because he is only available this weekend. I will lead the following weekend foray when I think it will be better due to both the warmth and wetness from this week. Those pesky morels need a little time to grow after the watering they got.

VU866

VU661 Annual Morel Foray May 23 2009 VU660 Two Hills Area VU18 VU28A Smoky Lake VU859 VU28 VU827 VU857 St. Paul VU2 VU652 VU651 VU829 St Paul Grazing Reserve VU803 VU646 VU38 VU645 VU645 36 VU643 VU830 VU45 VU VU860 VU642 VU28A VU825 VU637 VU637 VU830 Lamont Fort Saskatchewan VU831 Two Hills VU857 U21 28A VU15 V VU VU870 St. Albert VU855 VU28 VU16 VU834 Edmonton VU631 VU216 VU16A VU36 VU628 VU830 VU629 VU824 VU855 VU630

VU834 VU626 VU19 VU625 VU833 VU855 VU870 VU814 VU834 Leduc VU623 VU833 VU617 We will meet at Two Hills at Burger Palace, 5015 54th Ave, which is just east off Hwy 36. Two Hills is 130 to 135 km VU616 northeast of Edmonton (at the Beverly Bridge). We will be departing the restaurant at 10:30 AM SHARP, and we will VU619 proceed to the St Paul Grazing Reserve en masse. Come early VU2 if you wish a late breakfast or mid morning snack. [This is not VU615 VU822 Camrose the restaurant we met at in 2006]. 870 Wetaskiwin VU VU13 VU56 VU14 VU2A VU822

14 Summer 2009 No. 2 www.wildmushrooms.ws Alberta Foray Registration Form

Name(s): ______

______

Address: ______

City: ______Province: ______Postal Code: ______

Phone: ______Cell: ______Email: ______

Option 1: includes all foray events, all meals, accommodation at the College, and T-shirt $195.00 per person x ____ persons = $ ______

Option 2: includes all foray events, all meals (but not accommodation*), and T-shirt $140.00 per person x ____ persons = $ ______

AMS Membership (due to liability reasons the foray is open to Society members only)

$25.00 per individual x ____ persons = $ ______

$35.00 per family x ____ families = $ ______

Total enclosed: $ ______

T-shirt size(s): Men’ S ___, M___, L___, XL___, XXL___

Women’s S ___, M___, L___, XL___, XXL___

* Camping is available nearby, but not included in this registration option.

Please send your registration form(s) and cheque(s) no later than August 10 to:

Alberta Mycological Society P.O. Box 1921 Standard Life Building 10405 Jasper Avenue. Edmonton, Alberta. T5J 3S2

Since this is a catered event, registrations after August 10 cannot be accepted.

www.wildmushrooms.ws Summer 2009 No. 2 15 Please Join Us!! All forays are undertaken at your own AMS Calendar of Events for 2009 risk. You are responsible for trans- portation and accommodation. March July President’s Dinner Location: TBA September Location: NAIT, Ernest’s Summer Fungi 20 Dining room 18/19 Natural Region: Leccinum, Russula, Lower Foothills Agarics Annual General Meeting Location: Bow Valley Provincial 05 Natural Region: Foothills Location:: NAIT Park, Kananaskis near Calgary 21 Done Location: Cochrane Polypore Foray Summer Evening Foray Natural Region: Boreal 22 Edmonton River Valley Foray - NFLD and Forest Location: TBA Labrador Location: Edmonton: 22 11/13 Natural Region: Boreal Whitemud Park North, August Forest access from FoxDone Drive Location: Central Newfoundland - Max Mushroom Simm’s Camp April Identifcation Course 1/2 Foothills Foray Natural Region: Foothills near Hinton Natural Region: Regular Meeting Foothills Location: Blue Lake 22 12/13 Location:Weald Done Provincial Recreation May Pre-Exposition Forays Area Natural Region: All Morels, Verpas and 08 Regions 30 Spring Agarics Location: Your choice. 23 Regular Meeting Natural Region: Aspen Mushrooms to be collected for EXPO Parkland/Boreal Forest Location: St. Paul Grazing City of Champignons Chanterelles, Reserve Mushroom EXPO Lobsters Galore! 09 Location: Devonian 25/27 Location: The Fungi 27 Regular Meeting Gardens Festival, Shuswap, BC Alberta Foray October June Leccinum, Russula, 20/23 Lacatrius and other Regular Meeting Volunteer Agarics Mushroom Cooking Steward Location: Grouard, Northern Lakes 28 Demonstration 20/21 Commitment College Location: NAIT School of Natural Region: Catering Lower Foothills Summer Evening Foray Location: Poplar Creek Natural Natural Region: Edmonton 25 November Area Campout 26 Area Location: Devonian Botanic NAMA Annual Gardens Foray Summer Evening Foray 26/29 Location: Lafayette, 24 Location: Edmonton River Louisiana Valley

General Member Meetings Fourth Wednesday as listed above - Time: 7:00 pm Location: Riverbend Library

16 Summer 2009 No. 2 www.wildmushrooms.ws